A leading barrister today disputed reports that lawyers working on the Bloody Sunday inquiry had already been paid £40 million.
Mr Michael Mansfield QC, who is acting for relatives of two of those shot dead, said he was unable to go into details due to "professional rules".
But he rejected reports about the sum paid in legal fees, which also claimed he was leading a team of eight QCs.
"I am precluded by professional rules on making particular comments although what you have already said is not accurate," he told BBC Radio 4's Todayprogramme.
"I can't go further than that but I am not leading a team of eight and the money that has already been quoted has not been accurate."
The British government last night rejected calls to put a ceiling on the inquiry - which is investigating the circumstances of January 30th 1972 when 14 civilians were shot dead by soldiers during a civil rights rally in Derry - after it was revealed it has already cost more than £52 million.
The figure was provided in response to a Parliamentary question tabled by Ulster Unionist MP Mr Jeffrey Donaldson - and is expected to double by the end of the hearings.
In a breakdown of expenditure so far, it was disclosed that solicitors Eversheds had received almost £11 million to interview witnesses and for providing professional support and guidance.
Since it began, more than £13 million has been spent on information technology, while travel expenses for legal teams are currently at £1.3 million.
Mr Mansfield said he was only prepared to discuss the important role of public inquiries and the fact that finding "the truth" cost a large amount.
The amount his team were paid - reportedly £3.7 million - was "none of my business - I don't enquire", he added.
"Any inquiry of this kind - whether it is into Terminal 5 or 4 for Heathrow Airport or other inquiries into BSE, or, for example, if they have one into foot-and-mouth - they often do take a very long time when they are dealing with complex issues. It is not the lawyers. They are constantly being used as scapegoats.
"This was an inquiry which Tony Blair regarded - for the families of the victims - to be extremely important. Not just for the families but for the peace process."
Mr Mansfield is famous for taking on radical and political casework and worked tirelessly on the Stephen Lawrence inquiry.
He also defended Barry George, who was convicted of Jill Dando's murder.
PA